Tamou Reserve, wildlife reserve in Niger
Tamou Reserve is a large protected area in southwestern Niger covering about 756 square kilometers with woodlands and grasslands. The landscape features open spaces with scattered tree patches and seasonal watercourses that support diverse wildlife habitats.
The reserve was established in 1962 to protect wildlife and plants and acts as a buffer zone near W National Park. Its original boundaries were reduced in the 1970s due to food shortages, which led to settlement of communities along the Niger River.
The reserve serves as a space where local communities maintain traditional connections to wildlife observation and environmental stewardship. This relationship with the land is visible in how people interact with and move through the landscape.
Visit early in the morning or late afternoon when animals are most active and sightings are likely. It is best to travel with a knowledgeable guide, expect unpaved roads, and bring water and comfortable clothing for your time in the reserve.
The reserve historically supported a diverse mix of elephants, lions, hippos, and various bird species that roamed freely. Today human settlement and farming activities have significantly altered the natural habitats, with satellite imagery showing major changes in land use since the 1970s.
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